Police, in an outlying district of Hong Kong, resorted to the use of pepper spray after a protest broke out in relation to the renewed clashes over anti-government grievances. The protesters had gone up to burning the Chinese flag during the protest.
Police, while resorting to extreme measures, accused the protesters of spraying water at officers during the march by several thousand people in Tuen Mun in Hong Kong's northwest. According to local reports, at least one person was arrested for the same. 

Smaller than earlier protests

The protest, however, was relatively smaller in comparison to the previously held demonstrations that have paved their way onto the roads almost every weekend since June. The protests initiated with an opposed opinion about a proposed extradition law and have, with time, expanded to include demands for greater democracy in the semiautonomous Chinese territory. 

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This comes as a huge embarrassment to the Chinese government as it is happening right before the celebrations for the 70th anniversary in power of the ruling Communist Party. On a related note, in connection with the upcoming celebrations on October 1, Hong Kong's government has announced it has cancelled a fireworks display that day, citing concern for public safety.

Meanwhile, protesters took the route from a playground to a government office by way of a march that went on for about 2 kilometres (1 1/2 miles) where many were dressed in black and carried umbrellas which they said was a symbol of their movement. Further, the protesters were heard chanting "Reclaim Hong Kong!" and "Revolution of our times!" 

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Some protesters turned violent

While most protesters were peaceful in their opposition to the law, some took the hard road and burnt down the Chinese flag outside the government office. Local government broadcaster RTHK said that some protesters also damaged fire hoses in the Tuen Mun light rail station. An organizer quoted by the local government RTHK, Michael Mo, complained that police were responsible for escalating tensions by sending armed anti-riot officers. 

According to local media, Hong Kong's leader, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, has now agreed to withdraw the extradition bill. However, the protesters do not seem to be very happy with the move as they continue to press for other demands including an independent investigation of complaints about police violence during earlier demonstrations.

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Protesters have also complained about Beijing and Lam's government eroding the "high degree of autonomy" and Western-style civil liberties promised to the former British colony when it was returned to China in 1997. Additionally, the protests have now begun to weigh down on the already slowing down Hong Kong economy. According to officials, the passenger traffic at the Hong Kong airport fell in August and the businesses of hotels and retailers have been suffering too.  

Sources mentioned that the panel, on Friday, gave permission for a two-hour event that, according to it, had to end at 5 p.m. In addition to that, the Protesters in Tuen Mun also complained about a group of women singers from mainland China who sing in a local park. Residents have complained of them being too loud and have also gone on to accuse some of them of asking unnecessary money from them.

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It has now come to light that the campaign to tear down protest materials was initiated by a pro-Beijing member of Hong Kong's legislature, Junius Ho. Ho initially called for protest signs to be torn down in all 18 of Hong Kong's districts but then,  on Friday, said that that would be reduced to clearing up trash from streets due to "safety concerns." The protests further led to the Hong Kong Jockey Club cancelling a horse race after protesters suggested targeting the club because a horse owned by Ho was due to run.